Fortune Seis Aces (#1) holds off Flyin Chilito (#5) and Mark 536 (#6) in a blanket-finish to the $130,100 Grade 3 Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs Friday night

© Hodges Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

VINTON, LA–JULY 4, 2025—In a heart-pounding finish on Independence Day, Fortune Seis Aces (42-1) pulled off a stunning upset in the $130,100 Firecracker Derby (G3) for three-year-old Quarter Horses, covering the 350 yards in a swift 17.712 seconds with a 92 speed index on a fast track.

With no wind to factor, the bay gelding by leading sire Tres Seis, out of Cartels Fortune by Carters Cartel, showed early speed, dueled gamely down the lane, and held on by a head at the wire under jockey Noe Castaneda for trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr.

The win earned the connections $65,050 and pushed Fortune Sies Aces lifetime earnings mark to nearly $80,000. The Oklahoma-bred was bred by RJ Ranch LLC and races for Fortune Seis Aces Venture. The gelding was a 2023 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale repurchase for $45,000.

The winning connections of Fortuens Seis Aces accept the Firecracker Derby stakes trophy. © Hodges Photography

Runner-up honors went to stakes-winning double-registered Flyin Chilitos, a bay gelding by second-crop sire Chilitos out of Sensational Senator by Louisiana Senator. He was bumped at the break, dueled gamely, and missed by a head under James Flores for owner Omar Paredes and trainer Leonel Hernandez, banking $22,117 for his second-place effort. He was bred in Texas by Claudia Miranda.

Against Quarter Horses the double-registered APHA/AQHA runner has won two of seven starts and earned $56,025 and two of six against Paints with $66,679 earned.

Mark 536 rounded out the top three in a valiant performance. The sorrel gelding by The Marfa Lights out of Grinchy by Valiant Hero drifted out late but held third by a neck for owner Gyth Rigdon, trainer Paul Rigdon, and jockey Donell Blake, earning $13,010.

Meghan Simpson bred Mark 536 in Oklahoma. He sold at the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale for $10,000 and has earned $28,935 in 15 starts.

Pari-mutuel payoffs returned big numbers for bettors, with Fortune Seis Aces paying $84.60 to win, $30.00 to place, and $18.00 to show. Flyin Chilitos returned $5.80 to place and $6.40 to show, while Mark 536 paid $18.00 to show.

The $1 Exacta (1-5) paid $328.40, the $0.50 Trifecta (1-5-6) was worth $2,505.95, and the $0.10 Superfecta (1-5-6-9) paid $2,890.95.

Also rans in the Firecracker Derby were Famous Flyin Cowgirl (4th), JJ Jessa Dynasty (5th), San Lorenzo Trump (6th), Seis Chilitos (7th), The Legend of Corona (8th), JJ Apollitical Snow (9th), and JD Heza Paintedeagle (10th).

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